Ferdinand backed to be "Man Utd's Maldini"

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Agent Pini Zahavi has confirmed Ferdinand will sign a new deal and insists the United defender is ready to play on longer than Paolo Maldini, the 39-year-old Italy legend who is set to retire at the end of the season.

Zahavi told the Daily Express: "This new deal will take him beyond 34, but it won't be his last contract and in all probability it won't be his last contract at Manchester United.

"Rio is very, very happy there, he wanted to stay and they wanted him to stay. Of course he course he could have gone to another big club but he did not want to.

"I believe he can play longer than Maldini - and they believe so at Manchester United as well."